Israel MPs to debate divisive Jewish nation law next week

Israeli MPs are to return from summer recess next week to discuss mounting criticism of a new law proclaiming the country the nation state of the Jewish people, parliament said on Tuesday.

President Reuven Rivlin has meanwhile reportedly said he will sign the law in Arabic, in an apparent protest against the language’s loss of official status alongside Hebrew under the legislation. Rivlin’s office did not confirm the reports in the Israeli media.

Parliament announced it will meet on August 8 at the demand of 52 of its 120 members, more than twice the number required to call a special session.